word play – a little free library in new york by chat traviesoall images courtesy chat trevieso

the architectural league of new york has partnered with pen world voices festival and community partner two bridges neighborhood council to bring the little free library to the lower east side. open and accessible to the public, the project entitled ‘word play’ by artist and architectural designer chat travieso plays with the idea of stacking and perspective. the concept uses layered plywood to allude to the vertical patterns produced by books on a bookshelf, creating multiple visual effects based on the angle one views the library. located in a diverse community made up of english, spanish, and chinese speakers, this visual effect allows the book shelter to convey the word ‘library’ (printed on the surface of the piece) in these three languages all at once. in addition, the communal intervention provides two linear feet of bookshelf space; including seating that faces the east river waterfront providing a space where people can stay to read, share with their neighbors, and enjoy the view.

right side, ‘library’ in chinese

left side, ‘library’ in spanish

fence attachment

sitting

choosing a book

sharing

students from the two bridges after school program who helped with the project

students sitting

wide view

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

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